Winter sports are in the peak of their season, and it’s time to get some pep in our step. On Wednesday, December 17th, West hosted a pep rally during advisory time to get the students hyped up for our upcoming sports events, and give recognition to our hard working winter athletes. This rally included multiple fun activities such as cheering on and recognizing our winter sports, a performance from the dance team, cheers from the cheer team, a minute to win it challenge, and a thrilling fundraiser where students could pie participants in the face.
After introducing the winter athletes, the rally was kicked off with the national anthem sung by our West Choir. It was then time for an apt performance by the dance team, where they performed their state Pom routine which earned fifth place at the state dance competition a week prior.
Sophomore on the dance team, Gabrielle Markham, was looking forward to this performance, ”I’m excited to cheer on the whole school with the dance team, and I think people will like the dance because it’s upbeat and exciting.”
The dance had a “gameday” theme which got the crowd hyped up. Being able to participate in the pep rally is some of the dancers favorite parts about the events.
What I like about pep rallies in high school is that I get to be a part of it and dance in front of the school,” freshman Mia Childs said.
These rallies also give other students chances to participate through things like the Minute to Win it challenges.
”Usually my favorite part of our pep rallies is the Minute to Win It challenges that includes everyone, because sometimes I feel like we lack school spirit, so this gets participation going,” senior Madison Sparks said.
For this challenge, participants had to stand in a square marked with tape, close their eyes, and march. After about 30 seconds of marching, whoever was still in their square would win. Shockingly, after the time was up, none of the participants were still in their square, but that made it even more entertaining. The pep rally finished out with what many students found to be their favorite part.
”My favorite part about the pep rally was people being pied in the face because everyone looked like they were having fun,” Childs said.
The “pie in the face” fundraiser was run by the West Athletic Boosters, to earn money to support our athletics. Students were able to pay one dollar to pie one of the four participants: Diane Paquet, Ricky Terrell, Danielle Breier, or Homecoming King CJ Simmons.
“The pep rally was fun, and I felt like the pie in the face was a good idea to raise money,” Sparks said.
The rally was a success and got students excited and hyped up for the sports events to come.
